Suspended Driver Charged After Child Observed Riding On Lap

Source: Area OPPDate: Mon Feb 25 04:02:52 MST 2019

(TOWN OF ERIN, ON) - Today at approximately 7:15 a.m. a member of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated the male driver of a sedan that was travelling on Main Street in the Town of Erin, with a small child riding on his lap.

The officer conducted a traffic stop and investigation revealed that the driver was operating a motor vehicle while his licence was suspended.

A 36-year-old Erin man has been charged with Drive While Under Suspension X4 and Driving with Child Passenger not Properly Secured contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. He is scheduled to appear in Guelph Provincial Court on April 17, 2019 to answer to the charges.

When asked why the child was not in a car seat - he advised that he did not want to wake the child up.

OPP want to remind motorists that airbags can be lifesavers - however - they can also be fatal when occupants are not seated and buckled in properly. People most at risk from airbag deployment are children and small adults because their bodies can't take the force. The safest position for a child in a motor vehicle is in the centre rear seat using the proper seatbelt assembly.